Columbus – Current and former City of Huron (Erie County) council members owe a combined $19,800 for accepting mid-term pay raises, according to an audit released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost. 

In December 2013, council passed ordinance No. 2013-58 to set its salary at a rate of $750 per month beginning January 1, 2014. Council members David Schaffter, Rodney Kilbury and Thomas Solet accepted the increased pay in the middle of their terms, contrary to the city’s charter, which states that council can only “fix a different salary to be paid to their successors in office.”

“It’s up to the taxpayers to decide whether your performance merits a pay raise,” Auditor Yost said. “If council members pass legislation to boost pay, they have to wait until they’re reelected before the change takes effect.” 

According to city code, the three council members should have earned $2,400 per year until their reelection to another term in office. The improper raises caused each of them to receive overpayments of $6,600 in 2014. Findings for recovery in the amount of $6,600 each were issued against Councilman David Schaffter and former council members Rodney Kilbury and Thomas Solet.

Former Finance Director Pamela Snell and current Finance Director Catherine Ramey are jointly and severally liable in the amounts of $17,550 and $2,250, respectively, because they authorized the direct deposits that resulted in the improper payments.

A full copy of this report is available online.

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The Auditor of State’s office, one of five independently elected statewide offices in Ohio, is responsible for auditing more than 5,800 state and local government agencies.  Under the direction of Auditor Dave Yost, the office also provides financial services to local governments, investigates and prevents fraud in public agencies and promotes transparency in government.

Contact:
Ben Marrison
Director of Communications
614-644-1111